Forts are the basic military outpost of the
Border Rangers. They were created to monitor the coastlines and defend Kaleina's borders from encroachments by the
Forest. Forts are always positioned on the mainland, rather than on a protected island (which falls under the jurisdiction of the
Royal Kaleinen Constabulary).
Layout
Forts are built on the coasts of the lakes. A fort consists of an open area fenced in by wooden palisade walls or, rarely, stone walls. The fence extends into the water by at least ten feet and the side facing the water has no wall (with an exception for foreign forts built near enemy territory, where human assailants are more of a concern. Though forts vary in size, each one has the same basic facilities within the walled interior.
Docks
Along the water is a strip of boardwalk with docks large enough to accommodate
Salamander Corps ships. The dock area is also home to storage warehouses and usually, if the fort is large enough to support one, a fort tavern.
Watchtowers
Spaced along the walls are the watchtowers, facing into the Forest. They are simple wooden structures with a waist-high wall and shingled roof to keep out the snow, and manned at all times. Each has a bell to sound the alarm if anything creeps too close to the fort's walls.
Quarantine
Every fort is equipped with quarantine facilities. The ones positioned at portage routes have larger facilities to accommodate civilian travellers, but every Ranger needs to quarantine before going back to the islands. The quarantine area includes a block of single-room apartments, a dedicated kitchen for delivering meals only to those in quarantine, and a fenced in yard to give those in quarantine a rotating block of time in the fresh air. Every effort is made to make quarantine comfortable so that it isn't seen as a punishment or shore to try to sneak away from.
Barracks
The barracks are where anyone with the rank of Ranger, Lieutenant, or Captain lives. They are dormitory style, with one communal cafeteria. Lieutenants and captains have private or double rooms on the top floor of the dorm.
Officer's Housing
In most forts this is a row of townhouses for the three commanders and Seneschal commanding the fort. Depending on how remote the fort is, their families may join them here.
Armoury
Kept locked. Captains and above have keys to this.
Stable and Tack House
Where the caribou are kept.
Garden
Most forts have their own garden, unless they happen to be very close to a town. Rangers grow their own food during the summer and store what they can in root cellars throughout the winters.
Forge
In forts in remote areas, the blacksmith is a ranger who has received training. Closer to urban areas, the blacksmith is usually a civilian who does month long shifts between going home (quarantine requirements before leaving the fort prohibit daily commuting).
